Dan Debicella, of Shelton, thanks the delegates after being nominated to run against Democrat Jim Himes for the Fourth Congressional District at the Connecticut Republican Convention at Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Conn. Friday, May 16, 2014. James Brown was nominated to run against Democrat Rosa DeLauro in the Third Congressional District, Dan Debicella was nominated to run against against Democrat Jim Himes in the Fourth Congressional District, and Mark Greenberg was nominated to run against Democrat Elizabeth Esty in the Fifth Congressional District.

Dan Debicella and his wife, Alexandra Debicella, wave to the crowd after Dan was nominated to run against Democrat Jim Himes for the Fourth Congressional District at the Connecticut Republican Convention at Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Conn. Friday, May 16, 2014. James Brown was nominated to run against Democrat Rosa DeLauro in the Third Congressional District, Dan Debicella was nominated to run against against Democrat Jim Himes in the Fourth Congressional District, and Mark Greenberg was nominated to run against Democrat Elizabeth Esty in the Fifth Congressional District.

Dan Debicella, of Shelton, thanks the delegates after being nominated to run against Democrat Jim Himes for the Fourth Congressional District at the Connecticut Republican Convention at Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Conn. Friday, May 16, 2014. James Brown was nominated to run against Democrat Rosa DeLauro in the Third Congressional District, Dan Debicella was nominated to run against against Democrat Jim Himes in the Fourth Congressional District, and Mark Greenberg was nominated to run against Democrat Elizabeth Esty in the Fifth Congressional District.

Dan Debicella, of Shelton, thanks the delegates after being nominated to run against Democrat Jim Himes for the Fourth Congressional District at the Connecticut Republican Convention at Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Conn. Friday, May 16, 2014. James Brown was nominated to run against Democrat Rosa DeLauro in the Third Congressional District, Dan Debicella was nominated to run against against Democrat Jim Himes in the Fourth Congressional District, and Mark Greenberg was nominated to run against Democrat Elizabeth Esty in the Fifth Congressional District.

Mark Greenberg, of Litchfield, thanks the delegates with his wife, Linda Greenberg, and four of their five children after Mark was nominated to run against Democrat Elizabeth Esty for the Fifth Congressional District at the Connecticut Republican Convention at Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Conn. Friday, May 16, 2014. James Brown was nominated to run against Democrat Rosa DeLauro in the Third Congressional District, Dan Debicella was nominated to run against against Democrat Jim Himes in the Fourth Congressional District, and Mark Greenberg was nominated to run against Democrat Elizabeth Esty in the Fifth Congressional District.

Mark Greenberg, of Litchfield, kisses his youngest child, Jordan Greenberg, after Mark was nominated to run against Democrat Elizabeth Esty for the Fifth Congressional District at the Connecticut Republican Convention at Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Conn. Friday, May 16, 2014. James Brown was nominated to run against Democrat Rosa DeLauro in the Third Congressional District, Dan Debicella was nominated to run against against Democrat Jim Himes in the Fourth Congressional District, and Mark Greenberg was nominated to run against Democrat Elizabeth Esty in the Fifth Congressional District.

Republican State Rep. John Shaban, of Redding, endorses Dan Debicella for the Fourth Congressional District at the Connecticut Republican Convention at Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Conn. Friday, May 16, 2014. James Brown was nominated to run against Democrat Rosa DeLauro in the Third Congressional District, Dan Debicella was nominated to run against against Democrat Jim Himes in the Fourth Congressional District, and Mark Greenberg was nominated to run against Democrat Elizabeth Esty in the Fifth Congressional District.

Mike Fedele, former Lt. Governor of Connecticut, listens to the Fifth Congressional District nomination at the Connecticut Republican Convention at the Mohegan Sun Uncas Ballroom in Uncasville, Conn. Friday, May 16, 2014. James Brown was nominated to run against Democrat Rosa DeLauro in the Third Congressional District, Dan Debicella was nominated to run against against Democrat Jim Himes in the Fourth Congressional District, and Mark Greenberg was nominated to run against Democrat Elizabeth Esty in the Fifth Congressional District.

Joe Bentivegna, , center, of Fairfield, thanks his supporters after being defeated by Dan Debicella in the race for Fourth Congressional District Republican nominee at the Connecticut Republican Convention at Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Conn. Friday, May 16, 2014. James Brown was nominated to run against Democrat Rosa DeLauro in the Third Congressional District, Dan Debicella was nominated to run against against Democrat Jim Himes in the Fourth Congressional District, and Mark Greenberg was nominated to run against Democrat Elizabeth Esty in the Fifth Congressional District.

State COP Chairman Jerry Labriola, Jr. bangs the gavel after passing a motion at the Connecticut Republican Convention at the Mohegan Sun Uncas Ballroom in Uncasville, Conn. Friday, May 16, 2014. Events Friday included opening remarks and committee reports, Congressional Conventions, State Convention with introduction of Congressional nominees and the nomination for the Office of Secretary of the State.

State COP Chairman Jerry Labriola, Jr. takes a photo on stage as Permanent Organization Committee Chair Christopher Hoheb speaks at the Connecticut Republican Convention at the Mohegan Sun Uncas Ballroom in Uncasville, Conn. Friday, May 16, 2014. Events Friday included opening remarks and committee reports, Congressional Conventions, State Convention with introduction of Congressional nominees and the nomination for the Office of Secretary of the State.

Connecticut GOP Convention Permanent Chair Sam Caligiuri delivers opening remarks at the Connecticut Republican Convention at the Mohegan Sun Uncas Ballroom in Uncasville, Conn. Friday, May 16, 2014. Events Friday included opening remarks and committee reports, Congressional Conventions, State Convention with introduction of Congressional nominees and the nomination for the Office of Secretary of the State.

Republicans browse the stands in the pre-function corridor before the Connecticut Republican Convention at the Mohegan Sun Uncas Ballroom in Uncasville, Conn. Friday, May 16, 2014. Events Friday included opening remarks and committee reports, Congressional Conventions, State Convention with introduction of Congressional nominees and the nomination for the Office of Secretary of the State.

Republican James Brown delivers a speech after being selected to run against Democrat Rosa DeLauro in the Third Congressional District at the Connecticut Republican Convention at the Mohegan Sun Uncas Ballroom in Uncasville, Conn. Friday, May 16, 2014. James Brown was nominated to run against Democrat Rosa DeLauro in the Third Congressional District, Dan Debicella was nominated to run against against Democrat Jim Himes in the Fourth Congressional District, and Mark Greenberg was nominated to run against Democrat Elizabeth Esty in the Fifth Congressional District.

Republican James Brown delivers a speech after being selected to run against Democrat Rosa DeLauro in the Third Congressional District at the Connecticut Republican Convention at the Mohegan Sun Uncas Ballroom in Uncasville, Conn. Friday, May 16, 2014. James Brown was nominated to run against Democrat Rosa DeLauro in the Third Congressional District, Dan Debicella was nominated to run against against Democrat Jim Himes in the Fourth Congressional District, and Mark Greenberg was nominated to run against Democrat Elizabeth Esty in the Fifth Congressional District.

Republican Dan Debicella delivers a speech after being selected to run against Democrat Jim Himes in the Fourth Congressional District at the Connecticut Republican Convention at the Mohegan Sun Uncas Ballroom in Uncasville, Conn. Friday, May 16, 2014. James Brown was nominated to run against Democrat Rosa DeLauro in the Third Congressional District, Dan Debicella was nominated to run against against Democrat Jim Himes in the Fourth Congressional District, and Mark Greenberg was nominated to run against Democrat Elizabeth Esty in the Fifth Congressional District.

Republican Dan Debicella delivers a speech after being selected to run against Democrat Jim Himes in the Fourth Congressional District at the Connecticut Republican Convention at the Mohegan Sun Uncas Ballroom in Uncasville, Conn. Friday, May 16, 2014. James Brown was nominated to run against Democrat Rosa DeLauro in the Third Congressional District, Dan Debicella was nominated to run against against Democrat Jim Himes in the Fourth Congressional District, and Mark Greenberg was nominated to run against Democrat Elizabeth Esty in the Fifth Congressional District.

Republican Mark Greenberg delivers a speech after being selected to run against Democrat Elizabeth Esty in the Fifth Congressional District at the Connecticut Republican Convention at the Mohegan Sun Uncas Ballroom in Uncasville, Conn. Friday, May 16, 2014. James Brown was nominated to run against Democrat Rosa DeLauro in the Third Congressional District, Dan Debicella was nominated to run against against Democrat Jim Himes in the Fourth Congressional District, and Mark Greenberg was nominated to run against Democrat Elizabeth Esty in the Fifth Congressional District.

Republican Mark Greenberg delivers a speech after being selected to...

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Republican Mark Greenberg delivers a speech after being selected to run against Democrat Elizabeth Esty in the Fifth Congressional District at the Connecticut Republican Convention at the Mohegan Sun Uncas Ballroom in Uncasville, Conn. Friday, May 16, 2014. James Brown was nominated to run against Democrat Rosa DeLauro in the Third Congressional District, Dan Debicella was nominated to run against against Democrat Jim Himes in the Fourth Congressional District, and Mark Greenberg was nominated to run against Democrat Elizabeth Esty in the Fifth Congressional District.

Republican Mark Greenberg delivers a speech after being selected to...

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Republican Dan Debicella delivers a speech after being selected to run against Democrat Jim Himes in the Fourth Congressional District at the Connecticut Republican Convention at the Mohegan Sun Uncas Ballroom in Uncasville, Conn. Friday, May 16, 2014. James Brown was nominated to run against Democrat Rosa DeLauro in the Third Congressional District, Dan Debicella was nominated to run against against Democrat Jim Himes in the Fourth Congressional District, and Mark Greenberg was nominated to run against Democrat Elizabeth Esty in the Fifth Congressional District.

State COP Chairman Jerry Labriola, Jr., left, welcomes Republican Mark Greenberg to the stage to deliver a speech after being selected to run against Democrat Elizabeth Esty in the Fifth Congressional District at the Connecticut Republican Convention at the Mohegan Sun Uncas Ballroom in Uncasville, Conn. Friday, May 16, 2014. James Brown was nominated to run against Democrat Rosa DeLauro in the Third Congressional District, Dan Debicella was nominated to run against against Democrat Jim Himes in the Fourth Congressional District, and Mark Greenberg was nominated to run against Democrat Elizabeth Esty in the Fifth Congressional District.

Republican Mark Greenberg delivers a speech after being selected to run against Democrat Elizabeth Esty in the Fifth Congressional District at the Connecticut Republican Convention at the Mohegan Sun Uncas Ballroom in Uncasville, Conn. Friday, May 16, 2014. James Brown was nominated to run against Democrat Rosa DeLauro in the Third Congressional District, Dan Debicella was nominated to run against against Democrat Jim Himes in the Fourth Congressional District, and Mark Greenberg was nominated to run against Democrat Elizabeth Esty in the Fifth Congressional District.

Republican Mark Greenberg delivers a speech after being selected to...

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Republican Mark Greenberg delivers a speech after being selected to run against Democrat Elizabeth Esty in the Fifth Congressional District at the Connecticut Republican Convention at the Mohegan Sun Uncas Ballroom in Uncasville, Conn. Friday, May 16, 2014. James Brown was nominated to run against Democrat Rosa DeLauro in the Third Congressional District, Dan Debicella was nominated to run against against Democrat Jim Himes in the Fourth Congressional District, and Mark Greenberg was nominated to run against Democrat Elizabeth Esty in the Fifth Congressional District.

Republican Mark Greenberg delivers a speech after being selected to...

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Greenwich First Selectman Peter Tesei watches during the Connecticut Republican Convention at the Mohegan Sun Uncas Ballroom in Uncasville, Conn. Friday, May 16, 2014. James Brown was nominated to run against Democrat Rosa DeLauro in the Third Congressional District, Dan Debicella was nominated to run against against Democrat Jim Himes in the Fourth Congressional District, and Mark Greenberg was nominated to run against Democrat Elizabeth Esty in the Fifth Congressional District.

Connecticut Sen. Michael McLachlan displays a Mark Boughton for Governor pin at the Connecticut Republican Convention at the Mohegan Sun Uncas Ballroom in Uncasville, Conn. Friday, May 16, 2014. James Brown was nominated to run against Democrat Rosa DeLauro in the Third Congressional District, Dan Debicella was nominated to run against against Democrat Jim Himes in the Fourth Congressional District, and Mark Greenberg was nominated to run against Democrat Elizabeth Esty in the Fifth Congressional District.

Republicans browse the stands in the pre-function corridor before the Connecticut Republican Convention at the Mohegan Sun Uncas Ballroom in Uncasville, Conn. Friday, May 16, 2014. Events Friday included opening remarks and committee reports, Congressional Conventions, State Convention with introduction of Congressional nominees and the nomination for the Office of Secretary of the State.

Peter Lumaj gives a speech after being selected as the Republican candidate for Secretary of the State at the Connecticut Republican Convention at the Mohegan Sun Uncas Ballroom in Uncasville, Conn. Friday, May 16, 2014.

Peter Lumaj gives a speech after being selected as the Republican candidate for Secretary of the State at the Connecticut Republican Convention at the Mohegan Sun Uncas Ballroom in Uncasville, Conn. Friday, May 16, 2014.

Mark Boughton freebies are given out at his table at the Connecticut Republican Convention at the Mohegan Sun Uncas Ballroom in Uncasville, Conn. Friday, May 16, 2014. James Brown was nominated to run against Democrat Rosa DeLauro in the Third Congressional District, Dan Debicella was nominated to run against against Democrat Jim Himes in the Fourth Congressional District, and Mark Greenberg was nominated to run against Democrat Elizabeth Esty in the Fifth Congressional District.

Republican hats and items are for sale at the Connecticut Republican Convention at the Mohegan Sun Uncas Ballroom in Uncasville, Conn. Friday, May 16, 2014. James Brown was nominated to run against Democrat Rosa DeLauro in the Third Congressional District, Dan Debicella was nominated to run against against Democrat Jim Himes in the Fourth Congressional District, and Mark Greenberg was nominated to run against Democrat Elizabeth Esty in the Fifth Congressional District.

Mark Greenberg, a candidate for the 5th Congressional District, makes opening remarks at a debate sponsored by the Brookfield Republican Town Committee on Monday evening, July 30, 2012, at Brookfield High School.

The former state senator from Shelton captured 195 of 210 delegates from the 17-town district, which is emblematic of the wealth gap in Connecticut between its cities such as Bridgeport, Stamford and Norwalk and Gold Coast suburbs of Greenwich, New Canaan and Fairfield.

"It's time to get beyond the mediocrity of small expectations and demand a government that lives up to the promises of America," Debicella told supporters inside a crammed conference room at the busy gambling resort.

Next door, Greenberg accepted the GOP's nomination to run against freshman Democrat Elizabeth Esty in the 5th District, a feat that eluded the Litchfield businessman in 2010 and 2012.

"I am humbled by your trust in me," said Greenberg, surrounded by his wife, Linda, and four of the couple's five children.

Both Greenberg and Debicella used the mandate from their party to typecast their opponents as enablers of the job-killing agenda of President Barack Obama and rail against the Affordable Care Act.

"We all deserve better than a broken economy and a dysfunctional government that taxes, spends and borrows too much," Greenberg said. "The policies of President Obama, Harry Reid and Elizabeth Esty continue to fail too many of our citizens and businesses."

Democrats immediately tried to attach the tea party label to Greenberg and Debicella.

"Mark Greenberg's statement, full of the same, tired tea party rhetoric, underscores the very clear choice 5th District voters will have this November," Esty's campaign manager, Russell Griffin, told Hearst Connecticut Media by email. "Elizabeth remains focused on doing her job and is committed to standing up for the middle class, supporting job growth, and ensuring that government works for the people of central and northwest Connecticut."

The 5th District extends from Danbury to the Farmington Valley and includes Litchfield County, Meriden and New Britain.

Republican primary voters passed over Greenberg in favor of Sam Caligiuri of Waterbury in 2010 and Andrew Roraback of Goshen in 2012. Both were state senators at the time.

"Thank you again for this opportunity," Greenberg said. "I will not let you down."

In 2010, Debicella emerged from a three-way primary with 69 percent of the vote, only to lose the general election 53 to 47 percent to Himes, a House freshman at the time.

Himes increased his margin of victory to 20 points in 2012 over Republican Steve Obsitnik, putting the incumbent on the fast track to becoming the national finance chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.

"Jim Himes has chosen to put party above country, and his own career above the needs of our families. And it is time to stop," Debicella said. "Jim has grown more and more comfortable in Washington, following the leader instead of standing up for us. He has become part of the partisan gridlock -- voting lockstep with his party instead of reaching across the aisle to find solutions."

Maryli Secrest, the campaign manager for Himes, characterized Debicella as out of touch with the people of the 4th District in a statement to Hearst.

"If Dan Debicella wins, everybody loses," Secrest said. "Today's convention is proof positive that Debicella and Connecticut's Republican Party will be in lock-step with the tea party Republicans in Congress who voted for a budget that fundamentally alters Medicare for future beneficiaries, held up much-needed reforms to our nation's gun violence prevention laws, and voted time and time again to undo important environmental regulations. Debicella is not the kind of representative southwest Connecticut needs or deserves."

Higbie and Bentivegna failed to get 15 percent of the delegates, the threshold to automatically appear on the primary ballot. Neither is expected to try to petition their way on the ballot, which would require them to collect signatures from 2 percent of enrolled and active Republicans in their districts.

"I've already told Dan, `Where do you need me?' " said Higbie, a retired Navy SEAL from Greenwich. "I'm devoted to making him the next congressman as much as myself."

Bentivegna's campaign went into a freefall last week when the Fairfield ophthalmologist admitted to cursing out the Republican Town Committee chairman in his hometown during an argument over delegate commitments.